Speeding can certainly cause a motorcycle accident. Every driver on the road, regardless of their mode of transportation, must follow traffic laws.
When a motorist goes over the speed limit or at a pace that is not appropriate for current roadway conditions, they place other road users at risk of harm. To make matters worse, motorcyclists are in an inherently vulnerable position while on the road. Without an external protective barrier, seatbelts, and airbags, they are more likely to suffer life-changing injuries in the event of a collision.
Drivers who fail to follow traffic laws could cause serious accidents. As a result, they could be held financially accountable for any resulting damages. If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident caused by speeding, you should consider working with a personal injury lawyer. They can help you recover the cost of your collision-related expenses and explore your legal options.
Speeding Can Cause Motorcycle Accidents
Even in the best of circumstances, riding a motorcycle can be a dangerous activity. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle riders are overrepresented in fatal traffic accidents. In fact, data from the NHTSA reports that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to suffer injuries in accidents than car accident victims.
Speeding is one of the major contributors to motorcycle accidents.
Drivers who speed experience many impairments to their driving abilities, including:
- Lowered reaction times
- Inadequate stopping distance
- A loss of control of the vehicle
- Difficulty changing lanes
In short, speeding is a dangerous activity at any time. Collisions can have disastrous consequences for motorcycle riders. Especially at high speeds, crashes can inflict life-altering physical injuries, cause you to lose income, and impact your overall quality of life. An attorney can provide more information regarding your losses and explain how speeding contributed to your motorcycle accident.
Speeding Is a Violation of the Law
All drivers in Texas must take appropriate precautions to not place other people at risk of harm. This obligation extends toward other drivers, their passengers, and pedestrians. Naturally, motorcyclists enjoy this same protection under the law. On the other hand, bikers must also operate their vehicles with care.
One clear example of this concept is the state’s law concerning speeding. As a general rule, Texas Transportation Code §545.351 says that all motorists must obey the speed limit or adjust their driving speed to match present roadway conditions. This law can be open to interpretation in many different ways.
For instance, in the event of a collision, the attending police officer has the final say whether a motorist was speeding at the time of an accident. In other cases, what is considered a safe speed for one vehicle may vary depending on the situation.
It is certainly true that speeding can cause a motorcycle accident. When building your personal injury case, the police report will serve as a valuable form of evidence. If the speeding motorist receives a ticket and is convicted of a traffic-related offense, this can be potent evidence in your claim for compensation.
It falls on the shoulders of injured claimants to prove that another party’s poor driving was the primary cause of their accident. When you call the team of a lawyer, they can provide more information about speeding and whether you have the basis of a case.
A Lawyer Can Help You After a Motorcycle Crash Caused by Speeding
So yes, speeding can cause a motorcycle accident. At the end of the day, riding a motorcycle is an inherently risky activity. Even so, this does not mean that other motorists do not have a duty to keep you safe. This includes following all applicable speed limits and not driving faster than what is appropriate for current roadway conditions. Speeding can cause collisions not only for passenger vehicles but also for motorcyclists.
At Loncar Lyon Jenkins, we want to protect your legal rights after a motorcycle accident. We can explain how speeding can cause crashes and investigate whether another party is liable for your losses.
Some compensable losses in your situation may include:
- Your medical bills, including the cost of doctors’ visits, medications, surgical procedures, and physical therapy
- Lost wages from your time missed from work
- Diminished future earning capacity, if you had to take a different, lower-paying job because of your condition
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
- Disability, which compensates you for the daily challenge of living with a long-term impairment
If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to a different set of damages. Call in the Strong Arm today at (877) 239-4878 for your free consultation.
